Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 2 Mar 2000

Vol. 515 No. 5

Written Answers. - Proposed Legislation.

Dick Spring

Ceist:

41 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands when the Housing (Gaeltacht) (Amendment) Bill will be published; the main provisions of the Bill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6296/00]

Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Éamon Ó Cuív)

The Bill to amend the Housing (Gaeltacht) Acts is being drafted by the Office of the Parliamentary Draftsman and is expected to be published in May or June. The general purpose of the Bill is the revision and updating of the Housing (Gaeltacht) Acts.

The main provisions of the Bill will be as follows: that applicants for new house grants need not be residing in the Gaeltacht when the house is being built; that the Minister may, by means of Regulations, increase the amount of a grant payable under the Acts on an offshore Gaeltacht island; the inclusion of the grant for the renewal or repair of thatched roofs; that the Minister may in certain defined situations introduce new grants by means of Regulations;that the Gaeltacht for the purposes of the Acts will be those areas determined to be Gaeltacht Areas under the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act 1956; the termination of second house grants and holiday chalet grants under the Acts; the termination of loans under the Acts.